Col. Martine Kidd took the reins of Anniston Army Depot as its 34th commander during a Change of Command ceremony yesterday.
The ceremony, held in the installation's Nichols Industrial Complex, was presided over by Maj. Gen. Gwen Bingham, commanding general of TACOM Life Cycle Management Command.
Numerous depot employees, community leaders and tenant and contractor representatives were on hand to bid farewell to Col. Brent Bolander, who will move forward to his next post in Huntsville, and welcome the incoming commander.
Kidd comes to Anniston from the U.S. Army Cyber Command, where she served as executive officer to the commanding general.
Her military career began in 1989, when she enlisted in the Army Reserve as a supply sergeant.
In 1994, upon completion of her Bachelor of Arts in communications and mass media, Kidd commissioned as a quartermaster officer.
As she has risen through the ranks and increased her level of education, Kidd has also been deployed four times, the most recent in July 2010 to Iraq.
"Martine has an outstanding reputation for excellence and is a well-tested leader," said Bingham during the ceremony. "She knows how to lead and, most importantly, she knows how to build teams and take care of people."
Kidd thanked Bolander for his service in command of the depot, promising to give the workforce the same level of dedication.
"Anniston Army Depot and the people who make our mission possible, stand ready," said Kidd. "We will be agile and adaptive in supporting our nation's defense as we innovate to bring the best value and highest quality workmanship to every product we support."
According to Bolander, during the last three years, the installation produced more than 3,000 combat vehicles, over 5,000 major secondary items, 200 pieces of artillery and more than 110,000 small arms.
Bingham remarked that Bolander's command was a time when national financial issues created a tumultuous environment.
"His efforts to maintain workload and right-size the workforce helped ensure minimal impacts to employees and their families," said Bingham. "He never lost focus and was able to take care of people while ensuring mission accomplishment."
During his years in command, the depot has faced the results of sequestration, which Bolander acknowledged in his remarks.
"We had plenty of periods of adaptation and I applaud you for being flexible while making adjustments along the way," he told the crowd. "Your efforts have not gone unnoticed."
Bolander called his time in command at ANAD "very challenging, yet rewarding, years of my military career."
He told the crowd he may never proclaim loyalty to any of Alabama's universities or their athletic programs, but he would always have an allegiance to the men and women of ANAD.
"They are the reason our customers have the utmost confidence in the performance of the equipment we deliver on time or ahead of schedule, at or below cost, and at ever-increasing quality," said Bolander
Bolander thanked those who helped with the installation's success during his tenure - from depot leaders and employees to TACOM LCMC, tenants, partnering contractors and the community.
"Although I am reluctantly departing this great organization, which has been a vital part of our lives the past three years, Anniston Army Depot is very fortunate to have Col. Martine Kidd as its commander," said Bolander. "Col. Kidd brings a great vision and a wealth of experience to ANAD and, without a doubt, she will take this outstanding organization to even greater levels of success."
Kidd said the mission of Anniston is critical to the war fighters. She expressed that importance with a reminder of the families of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who gain confidence their loved ones have the right equipment to return home safely.
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